Special Yoga for Special Children
Foundation Teacher Training - Online
Understand how regulating yourself is the first step to benefit those in your care.
Learn practices to support a broad range of diagnoses for toddlers through to young adults.
No previous yoga experience necessary.
Special Yoga For Special Children
Yoga is so much more than simply flexibility; Special Yoga teaches practical, therapeutic tools that combine movement, breathwork, singing & sound, massage & energy, relaxation, mindfulness, working with the feet and self-care.
This Special Yoga for Special Children foundation level course has been carefully crafted to provide you with the know-how and techniques to support children with a diverse range of additional needs. On completion, you’ll be confident to assist children with diagnoses of autism, cerebral palsy, PMLD and down syndrome, in addition to complex needs and anxiety disorders.
About The Course
On this online course there are four teaching webinars which are hosted on Zoom.
The first webinar is slightly longer, giving students and teachers some time to get to know each other and the teachers to put students into Study Groups.
Opening: Saturday 5th October 2024 10.00am - 12.30pm
Webinar Two: Saturday 9th November 10.00am - 12.00pm
Webinar Three: Saturday 7th December 10.00am - 12.00pm
Closing : Saturday 11th January 10.00am - 12.00pm
In smaller study groups you’ll meet once a month to work on assignments, helping you embody your experiences and learning. The sessions are also a valuable chance to compare experiences applying Special Yoga in your personal work/home situations with the children.
Exact dates and times are agreed by consensus among the members of each group but will be weeks commencing 20th October, 17th November, 15th December 2024 and 19th January 2025 Groups will be confirmed at the opening weekend.
Sessions will be held online over Zoom.
The online aspect of the course consists of modules designed for you to work through independently, expanding and consolidating what you learned in person. Modules include movement, breathwork, mindfulness, singing and sound, relaxation, energy, massage and working with the feet. Further modules demonstrate use of the practices for ADHD, Aspergers, profound autism, hemiplegia, quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, PMLD and Down Syndrome and for working with babies, autistic girls, autistic children in mainstream education, adolescents and groups.
To complete your personal assignments you’ll watch videos demonstrating practices and see practitioners working with different children. You can test your progress as you go with on line quizzes.
Book Now
Special Yoga for Special Children
For invoiced bookings or to discuss multi-place bookings please email info@specialyoga.co.uk
“As we learn how to meet these amazing children with an open heart their behaviours become a way for you to understand them better.
You’ll find the challenges around communication less overwhelming for you or the children. “
- Jyoti Manuel
Student Testimonials For This Course
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"It has been a truly life-enhancing experience.
The Foundation course has exceeded my expectations. It’s made me rethink my daily relationships at home and work and has helped me to become much more grounded and mindful. Further to this I have learned tools and techniques that I can use to help me and my children to stay connected, relaxed and to feel happier and more confident. I would highly recommend this course.”
- Ivana
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“I am so grateful, and I know my students are too.
This training has developed my practice in sharing yoga with young people with SEN. It has been a joy to deepen the connection and engagement with all the young people I have the privilege to share yoga with. The materials, community, shared experience and time to embed and immerse into the Special Yoga approach have been truly inspirational.”
- Andrew
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"I look forward to my next SY training.
This is a comprehensive and thoughtful course taught by teachers who really care about working with children and young adults with additional support needs. I feel incredibly grateful that this course has been placed online as I've wanted to do it for some years now. A lot of time and attention to detail has been included and the support provided was invaluable.”
- Clare
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“I learned so much from this course
which has impacted every aspect of my life, not only my professional practice but my everyday. I feel deeply grateful and privileged to have been part of this course. Thank you”
- Susan
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“Small changes are transformational.
The course has helped me to gain a better understanding of my state as a teacher when supporting a child with yoga. The child is our teacher too. The staff on the course are real gems, inspiring new teachers to connect through yoga.”
- Hardip
Principles Of Special Yoga Teacher Training
There are nine key aspects to the Special Yoga methodology; all are equally important.
POSTURE - Special Yoga uses a few simple but deeply effective postures and movements. Understand how these postures work energetically, emotionally and physiologically to guide movement that supports each child
BREATHWORK - The emotions and breath are directly linked, each affecting the other. Learn various practices to support the child to find their breath and support their vital energy and emotional regulation.
MINDFULNESS - Whether through learning or character, mindful children generally experience greater well-being. Learn practices to help children become more self-aware, allowing them to manage their emotional state compassionately and kindly.
SOUND - Understand the therapeutic value of sound and how to use specific vibrations to calm the nervous system. The Foundation training introduces you to the rhythmic sequencing of movement to sound to help develop concentration and motor coordination.
RELAXATION - The importance of relaxation can not be overstated. We offer various practices and tools to support the child to deeply relax and find that deep connection within, helping all the systems of the body to balance, calm and bring inner peace.
MASSAGE AND ENERGY - Massage can increase blood circulation in the body, improving breathing, growth, concentration and IQ, the immune system, and restful sleep. We teach a multitude of techniques to enhance the well-being of children with special needs.
WORKING WITH THE FEET - Learn how to use the feet as an access point to support a child’s overall health. Applications include pain reduction, regulating heart rate, increasing oxygen saturation, and stimulating digestive organs.
ADAPTATIONS - It’s vital to understand how different practices can be adapted for children with other diagnoses and energetic states. Completing the course will allow you to tailor therapeutic interventions to various settings and the specific needs of the child or group you support.
INNER WORK - Our state not only matters, it is intrinsic to our ability to support the children fully. Throughout the course, we demonstrate the value of our self-care and self-observation in relation to the children.
